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The Masters would like to take this opportunity to review some key points of field etiquette for hunting with Tryon Hounds prior to the start of the new season.
PREPARATION
- Your horse should be clean and properly tacked including a contoured (not square) saddle pad.
- Your attire should be neat and clean. Hunt coats appropriate for the season should be worn unless excused by Masters for weather conditions. Polo shirts are acceptable in September. Hair nets should be worn by anyone with hair longer than helmet length.
- Arrive at the meet at least 15-20 minutes ahead of the official carded time so you can be mounted and ready to start on time.
- Make sure that all your paperwork, including cap fee if necessary, is completed and in the hands of our Honorary Secretary, Roberta McKinney before mounting.
WHILE HUNTING
- Keep up with your Field Master. A compact field helps our huntsman and hounds show the best possible sport.
- Select the flight best suited to you and your horse's experience level and fitness. If needed, ask your Field Master for permission to change flights.
- On most days, Tryon Hounds offers 3 flights. First Fight, a jumping flight, moves at speed and follows the huntsman and hounds closely. Second Flight, a jumping optional flight, follows First Flight and moves at a slower pace. Third Flight (Hill Toppers) offers sport without moving at speed or jumping.
- Tryon Hounds may occasionally have only 2 fields - First Flight & Hill Toppers.
- Please respect the following order of priority in the hunt field: Masters, Field Masters, Members with Colors and Guests invited by Masters to hunt up front, Members without Colors, Guests and Members riding with Guests, Juniors and Members riding with Juniors, Professionals. If you have an unruly horse, please ride at the back regardless of your status.
- Our huntsman asks us to keep on moving with a 'Forward and Reverse' action when she approaches from the front. When she approaches from the rear and needs to pass, we should keep moving forward at speed until we can turn down a trail and quickly remove the entire field from her path.
- Do not chat with your fellow riders in the field - chatter is very distracting to the staff who are providing sport.
- Never speak to the hounds.
- Always stay to the edge of a planted field.
- Ask your Field Master to be excused if you need to leave early. You may be asked to wait for a more appropriate time to leave, or to take a specific path on your way back to the meet depending on where hounds are.
- It is customary to thank the Huntsman, the Masters, and the Staff after a day of hunting. They will appreciate it!
For newer members or members wishing a more in depth discussion about our hunting traditions, more information can be found by visiting our website at https://tryonhounds.com/resources/foxhunting-resources,
Kick On!
The Masters Mrs. Charles Lingerfelt | Mr. Nelson Minnick | Mr. James Ritchie
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